Party organiser charged over Taiwan water park disaster

PHOTO: Reuters

TAIPEI - Prosecutors in Taiwan charged the owner of an events company Friday over an explosion at a "colour party" which left 12 dead and hundreds injured after heat from stage lights triggered a blast that ripped through the crowd.

Nine people were under investigation over the disaster in June at the Formosa Fun Coast water park, just outside the capital Taipei, when clouds of multi-coloured corn starch sprayed on revellers ignited.

But prosecutors said Lu Chung-chi, the owner of Color Play Asia which organised the event, must take responsibility for the incident.

Lu was charged with negligence leading to death and injury and faces up to five years in prison, prosecutors said.

"The temperature of the lights was very hot and when the powder came into contact (with the lights) it caught fire," said Chen Hsi-chu, chief prosecutor in Taipei's Shihlin District.

"He (Lu) should have been aware of this... As the wrongdoing of the accused led to severe casualties, we demand a heavy punishment."

Chen said an investigation showed the hottest parts of the stage lights hit temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Celsius, while the powder's ignition point was just 500 degrees Celsius.

The corn starch was sucked into the lighting system, ignited, and flames then shot out of the lights' ventilation ports, Chen said.

"The result of the investigation is outrageous. Only Lu Chung-chi (was charged) -- who has no money, no assets," said Michael Chu, who represents the parents of victims, outside Veterans General Hospital in Taipei where his daughter is still being treated.